Facing the threat of equine parasitic disease.
Authors: Matthews J B
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Cyathostomins remain the most prevalent nematode parasites in horses globally, yet their complex biology and the rising tide of anthelmintic resistance have long hindered effective control strategies. Matthews reviews recent advances in understanding these small strongyles, including the development of molecular identification tools that distinguish between the 50+ cyathostomin species and their contributions to mixed infections and pathology. A particularly significant practical development is the emergence of serological diagnostics capable of estimating encysted larval burdens through measurement of cyathostomin-specific antibody responses—moving beyond traditional faecal egg counting to capture the clinically important larval stages. As resistance to commonly used anthelmintics continues to spread, concurrent research into resistance mechanisms and improved field-detection protocols has become essential for sustainable parasite management. For equine professionals, these advances offer both diagnostic refinement and a more nuanced understanding of individual species pathogenicity, enabling more targeted and evidence-based treatment decisions rather than blanket anthelmintic protocols.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Anthelmintic resistance is now a significant clinical problem — routine monitoring and resistance testing should inform treatment strategies rather than relying on standard protocols alone
- •Individual cyathostomin species vary in their pathogenic potential and resistance profiles, so species-level identification may become important for targeted control decisions
- •New serum antibody-based diagnostic tests offer opportunities to detect encysted larval burdens without relying solely on fecal egg counts, improving detection of clinical infections
Key Findings
- •Cyathostomins are the most common nematode species affecting equids worldwide, with over 50 different species identified within this group
- •Anthelmintic resistance to commonly used drugs is widespread and increasing, representing a major future constraint on parasite control
- •Molecular tools have been developed to identify non-parasitic stages of cyathostomins and determine individual species contributions to clinical disease and epidemiology
- •A diagnostic test utilizing cyathostomin-specific serum antibody responses has been developed to estimate numbers of encysted larvae in horses